Albert Serra and Pablo Aguado: Toreo as Video Art

The collaboration began in 2023 when Albert Serra decided to document the lives of two leading figures in the bullfighting world. He followed Andrés Roca Rey and Pablo Aguado through the ruedos (bullrings) to capture their tension and daily existence. The scope of the filming was extensive, resulting in a massive archive of over 700 hours of raw video.

Serra's objective was to trace the trajectory of these two masters of the craft. The footage captured not only their public performances but also the private moments surrounding their careers. This wealth of material provided the foundation for two separate editing processes that would lead to very different final products.

The sheer volume of the footage required a careful selection process. Serra had to distill the essence of the bullfighting experience from thousands of minutes of tape. This process highlighted the unique characteristics of each matador.

In the editing room, Albert Serra faced a fundamental dilemma: drama versus aesthetics. He described the challenge as balancing the tragic nature of the bullfight with its visual plasticity. The footage of Andrés Roca Rey provided the dramatic element. Serra noted that Roca Rey "aportó —incluso derrochó— esa pugna entre la vida y la muerte" (contributed—even squandered—that struggle between life and death).

Conversely, Pablo Aguado offered a different energy. Serra observed that Aguado "desprendía en cambio una calma desde la que se podía apreciar el elemento más plástico de la tauromaquia" (emitted a calm from which the most plastic element of bullfighting could be appreciated). This distinction guided the creation of the two separate works.

The contrast between the two matadors allowed Serra to explore the genre from two angles. One angle focused on the visceral reality of the fight, while the other focused on the artistic form and movement inherent in the tradition.

The editing process resulted in two finished works with different destinies. The portrait of Andrés Roca Rey was compiled into the feature film 'Tardes de soledad'. This project received critical acclaim and awards, cementing its status as a cinematic success.

The footage of Pablo Aguado took a different path. It became 'Tauromaquia', a piece of video art designed specifically for museum exhibition. This format allowed for a different viewing experience, focusing on the visual and plastic elements of the sport rather than a narrative structure.

During their recent conversation, Pablo Aguado evoked the experience of being filmed. He reflected on the nature of the sport itself, stating: "En la tauromaquia cabe una ejecución delicada, fina" (In bullfighting, there is room for a delicate, fine execution). This quote encapsulates the artistic approach taken in the video art piece.

The project between Albert Serra and Pablo Aguado represents a significant intersection of traditional sport and contemporary art. By capturing over 700 hours of footage in 2023, Serra created a comprehensive visual record of the bullfighting world.

The split output—a traditional film for Andrés Roca Rey and a museum installation for Pablo Aguado—demonstrates the versatility of the source material. It also highlights the differing artistic potentials found within the bullfighting community. The collaboration successfully translated the physical reality of the bullring into distinct forms of video art.